First Project, no errors but no data

[Justin Rich]

So im pretty new to Arduino in generally, but this all seems like it should be fine. I will say I dont currently have a capacitor available to put on the antenna but for testing purposes the two antennas are just about touching (1 inch apart) and i know thats not really why the cap is added, but i figure it would at least randomly connect once in a while. Also Im not posting any code because these are unmodified directly from the examples.

I have built a basic serial gateway and the config has debug enabled. upon uploading the output is

0;0;3;0;9;gateway started, id=0, parent=0, distance=0
0;0;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.

which, seems fine. I then built a very basic humidity sensor and its output looks like this.

find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
sensor started, id=105, parent=255, distance=255
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
T: 20.00
find parent
send: 105-105-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
H: 36.00

It kind of seems like its finding the parent but i've been unable to find a key to that format (s/c/t/pt/l/sg/st) so im not entirely sure what those values are telling me. I assume it connected at some point because after a few find parents there is a sensor started, but i could be off base here, again, wasnt able to find any docs about the protocol in general.
The gateway never shows any additional data. I would assume if the humidity sensor were to connect at all, there would be some output on the gateway?

Sorry for this very basic question. I hope I've provided enough info.

Thanks,
Justin

[mfalkvidd]

@Justin-Rich said:

i've been unable to find a key to that format (s/c/t/pt/l/sg/st) so im not entirely sure what those values are telling me.

A key for s/c/t/pt/l/sg is available under "Troubleshoot the debug output" in http://forum.mysensors.org/topic/666/debug-faq-and-how-ask-for-help/

I'm not sure about st unfortunately, but I have also had problems with st=bc. The problems disappeared when I restarted my gateway. Not sure why, but it might be something you can try.

[hek]

st=bc == broadcast message
(which means all nodes can hear them)

You seem to have problems communicating. Check wiring/power/exchange radio/... more info on the troubleshoot thread @mfalkvidd posted.

[Justin Rich]

Ah, I stopped reading that post after it said how to ask for help. I had assumed the troubleshooting info stopped there.
I've tried to swap out a few different radios with the same result. I've also verified the wiring and it looks ok. I guess I'll have to pick up some capacitors to try that. Not sure what else i could be.

Thanks

[keldandorin]

Hi, I do have the exact same problem. I have added capacitor but still get the same error. My setup is Arduino pro mini with dallas temp sensor. Gateway is a arduino UNO. havent made any Changes in sketches.
Sensor say
send: 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
sensor started, id=255, parent=255, distance=255
find parent
send: 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:
find parent
send: 255-255-255-255 s=255,c=3,t=7,pt=0,l=0,sg=0,st=bc:

Gateway say
2016-03-19 08:52:47 INFO Connected to COM3
2016-03-19 08:52:48 RX 0;0;3;0;9;gateway started, id=0, parent=0, distance=0
2016-03-19 08:52:48 RX 0;0;3;0;14;Gateway startup complete.

If you figure out your problem please share
Thanks

[keldandorin]

@keldandorin
Really strange. After about 20 restarts I got it working. have no idea what made it work But I'm happy

[Justin Rich]

@keldandorin I just restarted my sensor about 10 times and it finally started to send. however it failed to send

send: 105-105-0-0 s=0,c=1,t=1,pt=7,l=5,sg=0,st=fail:39.0

guess i still need those caps

i guess i should take a step back and get the caps and then build something with the radios just to test with and get comfortable with them.

Im worried that if i actually start to use this that if there is ever a problem (system/gateway reboot) that it might be a nightmare to get this all back online, especially if i get a handful of sensor setup

[parachutesj]

@Justin-Rich
Hi,
Solution to my (your?) issue:
use a stable 3.3V power source for your radio!

I am very new to MySensors, think this is a great project and community, have quite some experience with electronics though.

As I am lazy as most, I used my cheep Arduinos and the first node I created worked without issues right after uploading sample code etc.
Then building up the 2nd node, I experienced the similar issue you had. I unplugged, changed radios, added caps etc. noting solved it because everything was the same as the 1st node - expect the Arduino. So I swiched that, and it worked. Ok, that made me think of the tolerances they might have and after measuring it, the 3.3V from node 1 was 3.4 and from node 2 was 3.2
After using a voltage regulator it worked.

Cheers,
SJ

[Justin Rich]

Yeah I just threw the multimeter on a couple of boards and from USB power the 3.3 is all over the place. usually in the high 2's, but, looks like enough to cause a problem, i'll have to find another power source.

I would think in your case where its 3.2 and 3.4 those should both be close enough for it to be fine?

I could maybe use the 5v (which is also a bit low) and step it down?

I have two cheap Arduino's and one branded one. one of the cheap ones is solid and the other cheap one along with the named one are both fairly unstable. I tried a few different USB ports and a powered USB hub. the powered USB hub was the best result. Im going to have to screw with this some more.

I also found a power module for it and powered it with that (6v) and i didnt see much difference in my 3.3/5v pins.... considering how all over the place they are, im curious how well my multimeter is connected to the pins.... too many variables

[parachutesj]

@Justin-Rich
I have a few of those connected to the Arduino directly and they provide a stable 3.3V and they are just about 0.20 $ or so:
LD1117V33

[Justin Rich]

I'll have to grab a couple of those and give it a try. Any suggestions for power sources? If I'm going to have to order stuff I'd rather get a handful of things to help solve any other problems I might run in to rather than a lot of small orders.

[parachutesj]

@Justin-Rich
Depends on what you connect. For my weather node, I am using the 5V from Arduino, if I need more the HLK-PM01 seems to be a good choice (driving relays etc)

[Justin Rich]

Great thanks